Martyrs of Piacenza

2 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
A Bollandist commentary on the many anonymous martyrs of Piacenza, slain under the governor Giordanus during the Diocletianic persecution. Their bodies were cast into a well at the church of St. Mary of Campania, from which a healing oil once flowed. 4th century

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS OF PIACENZA.

Under Diocletian.

Commentary

Many saints, Martyrs at Piacenza in Italy

[1] Philippus Ferrarius, in his general catalogue of Saints, testifies that at Piacenza, in the Field of Pilgrims, where the celebrated church of St. Mary of Campania stands, the Passion of very many holy Martyrs is commemorated on this day. Under the Governor Giordanus, Martyrs of Piacenza under Diocletian. during the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, they were slain for the faith of Christ. He writes that he drew this from the ancient records of that Church and the Annals of the city of Piacenza.

[2] Concerning these Martyrs, Franciscus Gonzaga writes thus in part 2 of his Seraphic History, in the Province of Bologna, Convent XXV, treating of the convent of St. Mary of Campo at Piacenza: Their bodies cast into a well. There is also in this same church a certain well, into which many bodies of holy Martyrs, slain by the impious persecutors of the Christian religion, were cast. From this well, for a time, an oil most suitable for feeding lamps Whence a healing oil flowed. and altogether miraculous for healing various infirmities of the faithful flowed forth. However, on account of the demerits of human greed, which had burst into such madness that it would apply the oil, for a price, It ceases to flow because of human avarice. even to curing brute animals, it has entirely ceased to flow for many days now.